Seasons Change

I've been thinking a lot lately about season changes. People are starting to put fall recipes and decorating ideas on Pinterest and Facebook. While I think fall is my favorite season, I actually really enjoy all of the seasons for various reasons. Some say we only have two season in Florida. Not true. We actually do have four seasons although the changes in those seasons are not as drastic as those experienced by my friends in Illinois or even my family in Maryland. Trust me. There is big difference between the April and August in Florida! I love Spring for the newness of life that is all around us. The grass gets green again. Flowers really blossom. You can pretty much guarantee that by the time the calendar says it's Spring, it is perfect flip flop weather every day for the next 9 months. Summer is great too. Personally, I love summer because it casual day every day at work. I'm talking jeans, t-shirts and flip flops casual! Even better, in July & August, we have shortened hours for summer...and get paid for a full week! What can I say about winter? I love it! I am one who really enjoys the occassional "cold" day we have here in central Florida. I like putting on a coat and gloves 2 or 3 times a year. There is a crispness in the cold that I find invigorating. I also love winter for some pretty selfish reasons: Christmas, birthday, Valentine's Day and wedding anniversary....it's gift season for Teresa. For someone whose love language is gifts, this is a sweet time of the year.  But my very favorite season of all is fall. I love, love, love fall! I just love the rich, golden colors. I love the smells of fall. The fragrance of cinnamon, clove, apples, pumpkin pie, turkey in the oven all take me to my happy place. Fall ushers in the holidays. Holidays translates to time spent with family. Sure there are some "dislikes" about each season too, but I choose not to focus on those. I choose to focus on the things that I like about each. That keeps me grounded and allows me to appreciate the good in all situations or seasons.

The same can be said of seasons of life. All of us go through many seasons of life. We have our childhood season, our high school season, our college season. Some of us have a long season of singleness when we want to be married. Others have a long season of marriage when they want to be single. Many have seasons as parents of children at home. That generally leads to the empty nest season. Regardless of your season, I encourage you to take the time to pause, look around you and find the good in that season. Look at your season through eyes of appreciation and gratitude for the blessings that you do have, no matter how hidden they may seem at the time.  Enjoy every day...every season of this life on this earth that the Lord blesses you with. Take time every day to thank Him for His abundant goodness, grace and love.

So, enjoy these final official days of summer and look to fall with eager expectation. Smile at the present and smile at the future. Both are in His capable hands.

Blessings,

Teresa